Timber Ridge News

• Wednesday, January 28 - Picture Day
• Wednesday, February 4th - Quarter 2 Honor Roll Breakfast
• Friday, February 6th - NO SCHOOL - School Improvement Day
• Thursday. February 12th - Winter Family Movie Night at 6:00 PM
• Monday, February 16th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day

Our PTO regularly finds time to bring cheer to the staff at Timber Ridge. The teachers' lounge is a welcoming place for staff to rejuvenate as they take a break from their hard work throughout the day. A special thank you to the PTO for their thoughtfulness and support!

We are always looking for new members to join us!

If you have questions or would like to join, please email us at timberridgepto@nsseo.org. Please “like” us and follow us on Facebook at Timber Ridge PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). Together we make a difference!

Our focus for this month has been on the power of gifts, and we do not necessarily mean something that you can hold. For sure, we had our Holiday Store and our students were excited about getting items for their family, but mostly, we talked about the gifts that are free to give: sharing their talents, sharing time with friends and family, supporting others when they are struggling and how the gift of a kind word and a smile can mean more than anything you can put a price on!

December was a busy time preparing for the Winter Holidays, Winter Break and launching into a New Year! We had our Holiday Store where students could "shop" for items for loved ones; we celebrated 4 students at the Board Meeting as Timber Ridge's Shining Stars and each classroom helped students understand the history of so many different holiday traditions! We ended the year on a great note and look forward to a wonderful start in January!

Healthy school attendance habits for December focuses on routine, hygiene, health, and proactive planning to combat winter illness and holiday distractions.

Health & Hygiene Habits (To Fight Germs)

• Prioritize Sleep: Aim for consistent sleep (8+ hours) to boost immunity.

• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help fight viruses.

• Wash Hands Regularly: Frequent handwashing is key to preventing germ spread.

• Avoid Touching Face: Keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth.

Routine & Preparation Habits (To Reduce Stress)

• Consistent Routines: Maintain regular bedtimes and morning schedules.

• Prep the Night Before: Lay out clothes and pack backpacks to ease morning rush.

Family & School Support Habits

• Communicate: Keep in touch with teachers about illness and homework.

• Have a Backup Plan: Arrange carpools or neighbor help for transportation.

Welcome to the latest update from the Timber Ridge STEM Lab! Our students have been busy engineering, coding, and exploring the building blocks of life. Here is a look at what each grade level has been working on this month.

Primary Grades: Digital Citizenship & Ozobot Engineering

Our youngest learners started the month by discussing what it means to be a good Digital Citizen. We talked about staying safe online and being kind in digital spaces.

To put their technical skills to the test, students then worked with Ozobots, tiny robots that follow color-coded lines. Students used recycled cardboard to engineer:

• Custom Houses: Designing cozy homes for their bots.

• Garages: Building functional structures where their Ozobots can "park" after a long day of coding.

Intermediate Grades: The Science of Genetics

Things got a little "monstrous" in the intermediate wing! Students dove into the world of basic genetics to understand how traits are passed down from parents to offspring.

To see chance in action, students created Genetic Monsters. By flipping a coin to represent dominant and recessive genes, they determined their monster's traits, such as:

• Number of eyes

• Body color

• Type of horns or wings

Junior High: 3D Design in Tinkercad

Our Junior High students are taking their ideas from the screen to the real world. This month, they mastered the basics of Tinkercad, a professional-grade 3D modeling program.

After learning how to manipulate shapes and scale objects in a 3D environment, students designed their own unique models. We are now in the process of bringing those designs to life using our 3D printers! It’s incredible to see their digital creations become physical objects they can hold in their hands.

Are you aware of any events or opportunities outside of school that might benefit some of our Timber Ridge students or families? If so, please share them with us! Please reach out to either mwagrowski@nsseo.org or nmilne@nsseo.org to help spread the word. We’d love to share any information that might help to support opportunities or resources outside of Timber Ridge!

• Wednesday, January 28 - Picture Day
• Wednesday, February 4th - Quarter 2 Honor Roll Breakfast
• Friday, February 6th - NO SCHOOL - School Improvement Day
• Thursday. February 12th - Winter Family Movie Night at 6:00 PM
• Monday, February 16th - NO SCHOOL - President's Day